How to mix bricklayers mortar

Just a little video we thought we'd make while teaching Big G. We hope you enjoy. Subscribe for all building related content.
#buildingwithbudd #bricklaying #cement #mortar

[@ChrisBrown-fx1bq]

Been laying bricks for 15 years and would never in a million years would have thought with that little water it would come out so nice.

[@Bullylover-tm7gn]

Really not even if the sands wet lol 15 years ay

[@bookstan]

The key is the concentration they put in it.

[@BigCroca]

What’s the weird red liquid he put in?

[@Downloader77]

@@BigCroca its "plasticiser liquid" , it makes the mixture flexible without needing much water, its how the mixture became so flexible without much water.

[@liamtaylor5122]

15 years didnt teach you alot

[@annhans3535]

Thank you. I am learning about brick laying because I want to be able to take care of my bricks myself.

[@superyid2010]

That is a banging mix, fair play. You don't see much better mixes than that, like Angel Delight!

[@Manus7594]

Amazing, I plan to try your technique at the job tomorrow

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

Thanks for posting, nice mix. I've always used one part by volume cement to 4 parts sand to allow a more forgiving mortar bed, especially in clay soils where heave can sometimes cause bricks to crack before the cement mortar. I remember in the mid to late 80's 1:3 was used for more strength. We each have our own ways!

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Cheers Paul appreciate you watching 👍👍

[@diyidea3031]

depending what cement you use 400 or 500 32.5R or 42,5R if 32.5 can be 1:4 , if 42.5 R can be 1:5

[@6lr6ak6]

That mortar mix is spot on, I've seen tons of folk adding to much water time after time then have to start putting in more sand and cement to stiffen up the mix

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Well said , thanks for watching 👍👍

[@jackww839]

Great video! I would’ve been tempted to add water. Awesome demonstration

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Well Jesse a few years ago I would have done the same, but a few slaps around the head and a few fxxxs stuck into me , I eventually got it 😂😂, thanks for watching 👍👍

[@zororat]

thoughts on adding sbr to mix for extra strength and water resistance?

[@heartbroken3350]

Best cement mix ever

[@fananox2057]

Auto captions are having a field day on this video haha Thanks for the concise information!

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Many thanks for watching, much appreciated 👍

[@Jonathan-mk1ju]

I also put the feb in first, just in case the sand is wet and you don’t need to add as much water. Keeps the consistency the same.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

You have been there , thanks for watching 👍👍

[@daveward4715]

I've been in the Building game for nearly 40 years and with hand on heart, I an tell you I can never get a mix perfect like this. It's an art in itself and a great labourer will get it spot on for me. Great video guys 👍

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Cheers Dave , when I first started the chap who taught me to lay bricks , made me mix our compo until I could do it with my eyes shut, he said you need to be a good labourer to become a good bricklayer, and forty years later I think he was spot on, cheers for watching 👍

[@frumpty_cumpty]

Im astonished with how little water was needed. Noted. Little water, bit of patience and the mix is perfect.

[@georgeomalley6066]

Welcome back, Happy New year, is that 1 of those 1960's 🇨🇮 Cement Mixers ( 💪 Windup) 😂🤣😂🖖

[@georgeomalley6066]

That's a Very Clean Mixer, Is that 1 of those rare Gentleman Mixers ?

[@BuildingwithBudd]

George it’s only about two years old but it’s had hardly any work yet, also it’s not had a beating with a put log pole yet 😂😂 , all the best for the new year 👍👍

[@handle1196]

Does adding more or less water change the mortar colour for the exact same ratio? Also does the pointing tool smoothing change the finish colour? Im trying to achieve a very light grey mortar but we only have 2 sand types, orange or pale yellow. I was thinking of trying to add some white cement or lime to the mix but wanted to keep it simple as its a full house

[@BuildingwithBudd]

All of the above can alter the mortar colour, also if you point up the joint to early this can bring the cement to the face and again change the colour, it’s really just a learning curve, hope it all goes well 👍

[@paulhiggs5172]

Nicely done I always enjoy your videos. I do a few small bricklaying jobs in the USA. What is the Feb that you put in? Does it soften the mortar? If so does it make much of a difference? We typically use a 3 to 1 mix. Thanks for the videos.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Thanks for watching Paul, the Feb I use is a concentrated one the make is Sika , it’s a game changer compared to the Feb we used to use, easy to gauge and in such a small bottle, are you from the USA or did you settle there, we are in Norfolk UK 👍👍

[@agentolshki4265]

@@BuildingwithBudd so what happens if you don't use feb? and also can you use this same mix for pointing or do you adjust it at all?

[@BuildingwithBudd]

@@agentolshki4265 if you don’t use some sort of Feb in your mix it’s so difficult to lay bricks, the water just runs out of the sand ,

[@richardvaldes3959]

I am a new guy at diy and my goodness i have no idea what I'm doing. Thank you for the video... I'll be redoing these warcrimes I committed around the backyard where I had way to much water in the mix and it came out super runny and uneven... sigh haha

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Richard many thanks for watching, life is a learning curve, but if you don’t know it’s even harder, hope your projects go well ,👍👍

[@wemcal]

Great video

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@user-jc8kx5gj8z]

What was the stuff in the plastic bottle you put in the mix?

[@davidwalker575]

Any idea why my mix comes out orange like the sand? I’m using 1:1:5, Portland, lime, sand.

[@lmilne4859]

Let it fella beautiful gear that in barrow happy new year 🥳 buddy

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Many thanks I don’t know your first name. That’s how I like my gear don’t know if it’s right or wrong but it works for me, appreciate you watching our videos, from one old boy to another, all the best for the new year, 😂👍👍

[@lmilne4859]

@@BuildingwithBudd Names lee no problems like picking some tips here and there your channel is good. yeah same with the gear a hose always handy or even when adding water always say to the boys let it run down inside of drum helps a wee bit even when mixing.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Cheers Lee, are you looking forward to a couple of months of crap weather coming up, I can’t stick this time of the year 👍👍

[@lmilne4859]

@@BuildingwithBudd Yeah nasty haha more so up here in Scotland lol

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Scotland sounds cold, do you get really strong winds 🤦‍♂️ I would imagine it’s lovely in the spring 👍👍

[@wildmanofborneo]

Hello, anyone know if you can use this type of rotating drum mixer for stucco? Do you know why stucco mixers have paddles that rotate instead of the drum rotating?

[@guerrilla1044]

I've always used concrete to make animal pools for my exotic livestock but we have a lot more flexibility with these types of products, I was given a bunch of fast set mortar that I'd like to use instead of regular concrete... are they safe for drinking water once cured?

[@kristiankalin7043]

I am about to build an earth or root cellar, probably from clinker blocks. I am lucky to be on a spot where the soil is pure, fine grade sand. So I wonder, is there any problem with a very fine graded sand?

[@dcbcballer24s]

Top bloke great video

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@dannyboy7715]

Do you ever use a bucket or anything to gauge the exact amount of sand and cement?

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Where it needs to look spot on , we gauge it with buckets , or if it’s something small might use a cup, whatever it needs 👍👍

[@rdftx2990]

About how long will that mix stay 'open' once you put it in the wheelbarrow? Thanks for posting!!

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Depends on the weather really you have two or three hours 👍

[@alpersondur7349]

What is the mixing ratio

[@adreenryan2901]

What is the Feb you mix with the sand and cement.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

It’s a concentrated Feb, made by seka, many thanks for watching 👍👍

[@willfowler6276]

Sats on the feb packaging use 10ml or watever per 25kg of cement?

[@jeremyfoster6942]

Yep, he's put way too much plasticiser in there, looks a great mix but it's weak

[@alec1113]

What is the additive you use , great video 👍

[@BuildingwithBudd]

The brand is Sika, and it’s a concentrate , you only need a really small amount and be patient, let it mix it’s self, many thanks for watching 👍👏

[@danieluk22]

Good looking gabo

[@zeez9053]

Nice lesson thanks 👌👍🇬🇧

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Cheers Mr Raider, many thanks for watching 👍👍

[@texaslookout5382]

Great Video My question is the amount of water ? Since I haven't been mixing concrete for 40 yrs you have the advantage. Many Thanks

[@BuildingwithBudd]

I’m afraid it’s a feel Texas , I can’t tell you how much water to add, but if you add a little at a time you can always add some more, if you put to much water in at the beginning you are stuffed, cheers for watching 👍

[@drillsgt24]

How many scoops of sand to a scoop or cement?

[@Scribe3168]

Cheers for that. I usually make it too wet.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

We have all been there it’s so tempting just to Chuck a little more water in 🤦‍♂️ , 👍👍 thanks for watching 👍👍

[@jasonfell7906]

What lime mortar mix would you use for laying reclaimed norfolk reds?

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Jason we normally buy it in pre mixed in bulk bags that way it’s a more consistent colour, many thanks for watching 👍

[@jasonfell7906]

@@BuildingwithBudd Thanks for your reply. I’m from Norfolk aswell, can you tell me where you get it from?

[@BuildingwithBudd]

I will find the name and send it over in the next week 👍

[@PaddleDogC5]

Use 750 psi mortar type N in USA or 1 part cement 1 lime and 6 parts sand.

[@disklamer]

My buddy tossed some gravel in the mixer for cleaning, and this other guy immediately complaining it would wear out the mixer. 😅 I said have you made concrete. Got dirty looks of course.

[@mmsoltani5650]

All but good, one point though, amounts of sand to cement ratio of what is required for the job in hand, 3:1 or 4:1 , but our presenter very good with the commentary and direction for how to achieve good motor for your job, but by mistake in the heat of the presentation said equal sand and cement where it should have been right ratio. Thanks for the information.

[@robertd6925]

What does the plasticizer do?

[@BuildingwithBudd]

It makes the mortar workable, if you didn’t add the plasticiser it would be no good for laying bricks, many thanks for watching 👍👍🧱

[@weggyweston1259]

Currently have a barrow mixer on the go and each mix of 5-1 sand/cement is taking nearly two buckets of water per mix. How your mix turned to that consistency I do not know, sand must be holding a lot of water to begin with.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

You must have a hole in your mixer🤦‍♂️

[@thrandumbguy]

I always have a sneaky tug before ever mix and 2 tugs before I lay a brick

[@lengthmuldoon]

This where I'm going wrong I only tug once before laying a brick🤣

[@thrandumbguy]

@@lengthmuldoon I don't even take my gloves off and always have my trowel in my hand🤣🤣

[@Rusco17]

Watching your video here, all looks good. Must admit, I do the same but you nearly caused my sister in law (who works in health and safety)an annuerism when she see your hand and trowel scrape off the inside of the mixer whilst in use 😂😂😂

[@BuildingwithBudd]

I don’t recommend it to anyone, but I’ve been doing it for forty years, so I’m probably not going to change now, many thanks for watching 👍

[@Thesaurcery4U2C]

I bet this guy could make the best bread or pastries that you have ever tasted.

[@Akayuo]

Hi guys, what is the liquid for again? Many thanks!

[@BuildingwithBudd]

It’s to make the mortar workable 👍

[@Immobiliermarrakech5933]

Bon travail

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Many thanks for watching 👍👏

[@petrokemikal]

The key is in the use of plasticiser.. Takes a while to overcome your assumptions that its not enough water, but the plastisiser really turns a dry mix into putty in a hurry.. Once I started to use it years ago I never went back to without, The benifits are massive.. Stops the muck sticking to everythng like the inside of the mixer and wheelbarrow, its more a dough now than a sloppy gritty mess.. Less water means its curing strength goes up, Deending on the additives used you can get stuff thats frost resistant ect.. Theres not much to not like about it..

[@BuildingwithBudd]

👏

[@bubbabentley4274]

Whats stung mean? I laid brick for 3 yrs about 12 years ago and learned alot

[@peterbertalan1529]

Üdv Mi az adalékszer neve? Válaszod köszönöm 💪

[@BuildingwithBudd]

It’s called Sika , it’s a concentrate rather than a full liquid, you only need a very small amount of, hope this helps 👍👍

[@martinivanov1319]

1:58 what did he say? how many sand?

[@Joe-jv5mm]

You haven't lost the Speed Mr Bud, after watching you clean the mixr with the brush, Your Banjaxed you've no excuse for the Mrs for washing the dirty dishes 😜

[@gabrielsalazar6648]

What kind bb of sand is this

[@BuildingwithBudd]

It’s soft sand

[@toytoy1091]

What part of Norfolk are u from ?

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Near Norwich boy 😃👍

[@toytoy1091]

@@BuildingwithBudd Int that the truth boy. I come from East Harlun (near Attleboro).

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Not to far from me, when I go that far out I to get a pass from the council 😀👍

[@IzzytheBricky]

Can't believe how little water was in that and it looked well creamy..I nail probably 2 buckets of water in a mix and get it out😂😂 too impatient me😂💪💪🍻🍻

[@ksmith7611]

Me too I ask for this vid a while ago coz every time I see his mortar I want to use it. can't beat a good mix p.s thanks for the vid bud I'm gonna watch it again

[@ksmith7611]

I'm even gonna let the ads play lol

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Izzy one day you will get there , I’ve had a lot of bad language stuck into me, so I had to get it right , all the best for the new year, 👍👍😂

[@IzzytheBricky]

@@BuildingwithBudd 😂😂😂👌😉

[@BuildingwithBudd]

@@ksmith7611 cheers Kurt 👍👊

[@liamtaylor5122]

pours water all over extension lmao

[@honkytonk25]

Juusst lark thart!!

[@michaeltufnail8683]

Are you from Lowestoft

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Old Norfolk boi 👍😃

[@christopherdavies6427]

Fairy liquid works good to🤣

[@GaetanoCostanza]

5:1 to that's shovels 20 sand 4 cement

[@markalman649]

No "slaking" time?

[@magocybernetico]

No lime?

[@BuildingwithBudd]

No lime in this mix 🧱

[@mikereynoldsguitar502]

cant believe as a pro your putting your hands in a moving mixer

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Well Mike I’ve been doing it for forty years, you have to feel it, just the way we do it in old Norfolk, many thanks for watching 👍👍

[@mikereynoldsguitar502]

@@BuildingwithBudd ha i guess thats true i did enjoy watching old skool and subbed hope to learn more from your channel

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Cheers Mike 👍

[@johnbowkett80]

You forgot the Fairy . 😜

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Don’t tell everyone 😃👍

[@lacihalasz]

Some liquid detergent works good as well

[@garyharris184]

Always gauge your sand cement use buckets cant go wrong always same

[@kierenboimufc5940]

Everyones idea of a shovel is different but hes on his own so his mix is the same all the time

[@philipwhiteman6134]

nope cut your bag of cement in half then add it to 12 sand perfect mix every time

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Good call Phil , I just mix my gear how it works for me, every body has there own way which works for them but ends up with the same end result, many thanks for watching 👍👍

[@chrishamill9272]

fuck me.. a brain in chat

[@thomasfoster5200]

You literally just did what you advised people not to do with that little half shovel of mortar mix

[@liamtaylor5122]

Yes 😂

[@vortexeon481]

I miss English sand, in nz it’s a bit shit

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Have you got great weather though, are you working out there ? Many thanks for watching 👍👍

[@vortexeon481]

@@BuildingwithBudd shorts all year round and only about 10 rained off days a year mate!! Laying conditions I would say cannot be bettered Yeah I still lay here if you know anyone that wants to move over hit me up 🤙

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Thanks for that if anyone tells me they are heading your way I will give you a shout, how long have you been out there? Once again thanks for watching, we are in Norfolk , UK 👍👍

[@pauljohnson2372]

My grandfather had me add 13 shovels of sand with 80 lb bags, but I mixed in a trough with a hoe

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Sounds like hard work 🤦‍♂️

[@pauljohnson2372]

@BuildingwithBudd I suppose it was, but I didn't mind. I enjoyed trying to show my grandad that I was tough and could hack it. Thank you

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Nothing wrong with trying to impress grandpa, did it work 👍

[@pauljohnson2372]

@BuildingwithBudd I suppose it did. I turned out to be a pretty good work horse from a teen on thru early 50s. He'd be proud. I own a restaurant now, have for 19 yrs. I work my but off starting biscuits at 3:45 am. with bbq for lunch and dinner cooking overnight with a wood fire. Hard work, but I never thought I'd be rewarded so graciously for my labors

[@BuildingwithBudd]

What part of the world do you live, we are in Norfolk in the Uk, many thanks for watching 👍

[@aaronbrown3573]

Why can't I find a plasticizer in the USA ? guess I'm gonna use dish soap.

[@Al-ms6me]

You said 5 sand 1 cement then you said equal parts sand and cement.Unless i missed something..... please explain

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Yes 5-1 is the ratio , but the shovels off sand and the shovels of cement should be the same in size, so the heaps on the shovel look the same size is what I’m trying to say, many thanks for watching 👍👊

[@Al-ms6me]

@@BuildingwithBudd aahhh... now it makes sense. Cheers mate. I didnt have plastizer.....now i know why i shouldve bought some coz the mix was crumbly and SHIT..... ill have yo redo it. Living and learning

[@BuildingwithBudd]

That’s the only way I’m still living and learning, all the best 👍👍

[@democrasywins]

I regularly put my hand in my wood chipper but I'm a "pro" ;) otherwise great vid thanks eh

[@noodlesiis]

“ Have you got a light boy? have you got a light “ …. Lost on many i’m sure ..

[@BuildingwithBudd]

That’s right boi 😊😊👍 ha yah got a light boi 👍

[@noodlesiis]

@@BuildingwithBudd A bootifull mix Boi, by the way…

[@user-on5zq2wp5i]

それは土？砂？

[@edskapin7171]

Drum mixer is for mortar. The equipment he is using is for home owner projects.

[@user-yq2uy8ft4z]

Using a head mounted camera is not a good idea. Movements are too fast for imaging. Use a tripod with an assistant is far more effective.

[@robogamer5384]

Turn the mixer off while you've got your arm in there cleaning it out are you for real mate

[@liamtaylor5122]

He’s been in the game 40+ years he ain’t gonna stop now 😮

[@GaetanoCostanza]

Your ratio mix wrong 5:1 a bucket is standard 4 shovels a bucket so 5:1 that should be 20 shovels sand 4 shovels cement.better to use bucket yo keep to guage. You put in 14 shovels sand 3 cement.

[@saber5585]

Maybe that's your way,but... from my point of view the mixer is junk, that's a garden wheelbarrow, never ever put your hand inside of moving mixer. Some water and a couple shovels of sand while the mixer is running will do a pretty decent job of cleaning the machine out.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

You obviously are not in the building trade , go into any proper builders merchants and there are piles of them, and as you say that’s my way, works for me not for you, fair enough, cheers for watching 👍

[@saber5585]

@@BuildingwithBudd Just so you know I've been a commercial mason for 45 years. Worked from Washington DC to Savanah GA. Just about every state east of the Mississippi River. I get where you're coming from,but when I've got 60 to 80 masons and 40+ laborers on the job we just don't have time to half-step anything. Good luck to you.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

This is aimed at your diy watcher not trades people, but you can’t regulate who looks at it, I get what you say about having loads of masons to look after, you can’t compare the two, it’s good for us to know we are going that far, when you say Mason’s is that laying Stone or laying bricks? Over here in the UK a Mason works with stone not with bricks, what type of work do you do , new Or old, be interested to know, once again many thanks for watching looking at the videos 👍👊

[@saber5585]

@@BuildingwithBudd Good to hear from you. I was union trained and in the States you are either a block mason, brick mason or stone mason also. However, I ( like a lot, not all) was given the best training from a multitude of masons to be able to do it all including stacked stone known here as either "slave" walls or Irish walls. On my card it says "Master" but who ever really "masters" masonry. We have a saying here, Once you've learned everything there is about masonry your to old to do it. My father was a true "mechanic" and I'm proud to say I made it too. Nothing more satisfying than having someone say how happy they are with the work. Especially when they pay you! Take care. God bless.

[@BuildingwithBudd]

Those are wise words , many thanks for taking the time to have chat, keep well and let’s speak in the future, keep well 👍

[@Plobbot1974]

Please, this is a nightmare to watch. Just put 3 quarters of the cement in with water and feb/fairy and the rest sand….6/1 ratio. DONE

[@BuildingwithBudd]

It’s what works for me , that’s all that matters, we all see things different, but end up with the same result, many thanks for watching 👍👍

[@PaddleDogC5]

But a mortar mixer not that Chinese JUNK. Can't even make one bag. 😂

[@moffat5914]

" dont put your hand in the mixer like this" "lets tip this water out the barra......right beside the plugs"

[@dnj5134]

But that takes a lot of time it shouldn’t be too slow like that! 👎👎

[@PaddleDogC5]

Junk wheelbarrow.

[@paddy202]

😂😂 pretty dull life you must lead

[@PaddleDogC5]

@@paddy202 no they are JUNK handles to thin and no capacity in them.

[@paddy202]

Like I said you must be very dull

[@PaddleDogC5]

@@paddy202 not me plenty of energy, hobbies, jokes, and knowledge about the masonry business. Those wheelbarrows are for homeowners or small women.

[@PaddleDogC5]

@@paddy202 debate the FACTS of the wheelbarrow. Have any?